I was reading through the list of the books I’ve consumed in 2024 and gee whiz, this year hasn’t flown; it’s felt like I’ve lived two years in one and I’m glad for that – let time slow down a little, you know?
But also – wow. Just wow. My year in reading was rather broad in scope (I enjoy the haughtiness this implies), but there were some standout reads for one reason or another …
The Unreal and the Real Volume 2: Outer Space, Inner Lands opened my eyes to the wonder of Le Guin’s short stories. There’s one about a society of people – some of whom have wings – that really sticks with me. I was reading this during my first trip to Hong Kong and it accompanied me while I ate congee to settle a dodgy stomach.
Bride by Ali Hazelwood has the mild ignominy of making me stop what I was doing, horrified by the word that had just popped up into my ears. The boundaries of fandom had been breached.
I’m not certain an audiobook was the best way to consume this book, but it did make … the thing … a veritable surprise. I was unprepared. I was unbraced. I refuse to say anything more. The woman was too stunned to speak.
Cloistered: My Years as a Nun was so gripping I listened to it twice – yes, twice! It’s claustrophobic, it’s gripping, it makes you side eye the cloister and wonder if ‘cult’ would be a better word to apply to it.
Did it make me want to abandon the world to retreat to peaceful lands and a barren room with a cross and the ever present scent of feral cat pee? No. Did it plant a book idea in my brain? Oh yes, yes it did indeed.
Long Live Evil reminded me of the good old days of fictionpress.net and those really, really good fanfics that just wiggle their way into your brain. I sat down and devoured this book in one day. Couldn’t help it. Is it perfect? No. Is it so deliciously delicious that you have to read it? Yes.
A cancer patient gets transmigrated into her sister’s favourite book series. As a villain. Should she succeed maybe she’ll receive the cure. (?) (!) (?)
That’s it. I know. I know. I can’t wait for the sequel.
What else is there to say about The Custom of the Country that I haven’t said already? Undine Spragg is her name and she definitely deserves it. It reminded me that the classics are classics for a reason.
I’m on book five of the Rivers of London series and though perhaps I shouldn’t have binged them quite so quickly – I’ve enjoyed getting to know the characters. Peter Grant is a full-time bobby and part-time magician and though I have questions about the world building and say, for example, the wide-ranging social-economic and historical implications that magic being real and there being river deities DID YOU KNOW HOW MANY RIVERS THERE ARE IN THE WORLD? At least more than ten. AT LEAST … I’m having a good time.
My goal for 2024 was to read 12 books, and I’ve felt far more relaxed on the reading front this whole year. I’m going to lower the bar even further for 2025, I think – a 3 book reading goal sounds lovely.
And now as we move into the new year, I wish you the very best and hope we all have an excellent 2025. Thank you, as always, for reading my rambles.
What are *your* 2024 book highlights?
of words & books 